January 2017 News and Research Roundup

Welcome to CounterTobacco.org’s “News and Research Roundup!” Each month we post a summary of the latest research, reports, and news stories on counteracting tobacco product sales and marketing at the point of sale (POS). Keeping up with what’s happening in the POS movement all across the country can help you choose policies and strategies that work best for your community. New research can help provide support for your work and evidence for the importance of the “War in the Store.” Have a story you don’t want us to miss? E-mail it to us!

New Research

A survey of smokers in Omaha, Nebraska found that individuals who had a lower income or who were Hispanic or Non-Hispanic Black were more likely to be exposed to a high level of point of sale cigarette marketing compared to those who were Non-Hispanic White and had a higher income.

There is a widening gap in all-cause age-adjusted death rates between urban and rural areas, with age-adjusted deaths from the five leading causes (heart disease, cancer, unintentional injury, chronic lower respiratory disease, and stroke) higher in rural areas than in urban areas. Tobacco use contributes to four out of these top five causes. The researchers suggest that in addition to improving access to healthcare, needs-based rather than population-based distribution of funding with an increased emphasis on the epidemiological burden of disease might help reduce this disparity.

Data from the 2013 Cuyahoga County Youth Risk Behavior show a high proportion of high school youth who report using cigar products are modifying them in some way. Nearly half report “freaking” (removing the filter paper) and nearly two-thirds reported “blunting” (removing the tobacco and supplementing or replacing with marijuana).

This study found higher rates of awareness and higher rates of ever use of e-cigarettes among youth and young adults, males, individuals who are white, and those with relatively higher levels or educational. The authors note that given these differences in awareness and use across sociodemographic groups, future research and practice efforts should ensure that neither the potential benefits nor the potential harms of e-cigarettes increase existing health disparities.